Registration is open for Area Agency on Aging hoarding therapy groups for Maricopa County residents 60 and older challenged by compulsive object hoarding who are willing to self-identify and commit to addressing the disorder. The 14-week confidential and voluntary Too Many Treasures Hoarding Therapy Groupbegins in September.
The groups will meet at locations in Central Phoenix and Glendale. Space is limited and participants will need to complete an intake process by calling (602) 241-5577 no later than August 27 to qualify for the sessions.
There is no cost for the 90-minute group therapy sessions that are moderated by a Licensed Professional Counselor. Too Many Treasuresis the only object hoarding therapy program in Maricopa County. Meeting locations are confidential. Addresses will be provided to qualifying participants.
“Through the therapy groups, participants suffering from Excessive Acquiring and Clutter Behavior are introduced to new information and techniques to help them change current behaviors and thoughts,” said Heidi Donniaquo, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who manages Too Many Treasures. “Compulsive object hoarding is a serious problem that can be difficult to control.”
Bi-weekly follow-up support-group meetings for graduates will be scheduled to provide ongoing support and encouragement.
According to statistics, clinical hoarding affects between 700,000 and 1 million people in the United States.
Research at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine indicates that the compulsion to hoard often starts in childhood or the teen years but doesn’t become severe until adulthood. Hoarding frequently runs in families.
For more information about Too Many Treasuresand the Area Agency on Aging, email hoarding@aaaphx.org, call (602) 241-5577 or visit www.aaaphx.org
Here is my interview with one of the therapists, Mary Coalson ...
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